Mark Loughridge
In 2001 he came to Letterkenny to plant a church and to pastor a church in Milford. Here’s a little about him from a newspaper interview:
1. What is your favourite way of relaxing?
Reading a good book, swimming, or walking with my wife.
2. Who are your favourite writers?
Non-religious books – Robert Ludlum, Dorothy Sayers
Christian writers – John Piper, DA Carson
3. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Heaven – no sin, no pain, no sadness, just pure happiness in the presence of God.
4. What historical figure do you most identify with?
Peter the apostle – a man who, although deeply flawed, loved to serve his Saviour.
5. Which living person do you most admire?
My mother, who copes uncomplainingly with Multiple Sclerosis.
6. Who are your real-life heroes?
Christians who are persecuted for their faith
7. What is your most obvious characteristic?
Some people would say my handshake, or my long stride. As for a less obvious characteristic – I lost the sight in my right eye through a sporting injury.
8. What is your greatest fear?
That people whom I care for will not accept God’s offer of forgiveness, and will end up in Hell.
9. What is the trait you most dislike in others?
Lying & self-seeking vulgarity. You can hardly watch TV, go to the cinema, read a newspaper, or listen to pop music without there being some form of crudeness, mostly for publicity.
10. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Persuading my wife to marry me!
11. Where would you like to live?
Thailand – I love Thai food
12. Who has been the greatest influence on you?
Jesus Christ, my Saviour.
13. What do you like most about your job?
Seeing people grasp the message of the Bible, and watching it transform their lives.
14. How would you like to die?
Looking forward to Heaven
Jonny McCollum
1. Who are you?
I grew up in a County Antrim village called Cullybackey. It’s “famous” for being the ancestral home of a barely remembered US president and not much else. I’ve spent the last 5 years training to be a minister, first in Donegal, then at college in Belfast.
2. What are your hobbies?
Watching, playing, or talking about sport. My specialist subject is the last 2 decades of watching Liverpool FC try and fail to get back on their perch. Maybe next year will be our year!
Listening to music - Pink Floyd are a particular favourite.
3. Why do you want to be a minister?
The gospel is the best news in the whole world. It tells us that we’re even more sinful than we think, and that there’s absolutely nothing we can do to make up for that. Yet it also tells us about God’s great love in sending the Son to die and rise again; which means if we trust Jesus, we can know for certain that we’ve been forgiven.
Being a minister allows me to spend my time talking about this brilliant news - I can’t think of any other job I’d rather do.
3. How did you become a Christian?
I grew up going to church and (mostly) tried my best to obey the rules and live a good life. I hoped this would be enough, but all it did was frustrate me as I failed time and time again.
By my mid teens I got fed up of this repeated cycle, and it’s then that I finally understood what the Bible teaches about forgiveness - that it’s not down to how many boxes we tick, but whether or not we have faith in Jesus.
4. What is your most obvious characteristic?
I’m 6”2, and this becomes very obvious when there are low doors and ceilings to negotiate. I’m still the shortest guy in my family though!
5. What was the last book you read?
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré.
6. Your favourite food?
Indian.
7. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Heaven! And it isn’t a pipe dream - Jesus’ work has guaranteed it for everyone who trusts in him.